Overview

Are you interested in taking your performance skills to a new and intriguing level? A Taste of Circus: Contemporary Performance in Australia is a program designed by Swinburne University of Technology and Australia's National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA). Created for students with an interest in contemporary circus arts, this course will allow students to develop their physical skills through experiential learning in the Sidney Myer Circus Studio. They will also undertake studies in performance, dance, and cultural studies in classes held on-site at NICA and through excursions to some of Melbourne's principle cultural and performing arts venues.

In addition, cultural and tourism related activities will provide students with an introduction to the city of Melbourne and an insight into Australian society and culture, including its business environments and multicultural lifestyle. Swinburne will provide an official transcript for one class, which transfers as 3-4 credits to the home institution. (at the discretion of the home university)

Location

Swinburne University of Technology has a strong reputation in Australia and overseas as a provider of career-oriented education and as a university with a commitment to research. The University maintains a strong technology base and important links with industry, complemented by a number of innovative specialist research centers.

The National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA)

NICA is Australia's center of excellence and innovation in contemporary circus arts. NICA is dedicated to developing and nurturing talented young circus performers via a 3-year degree, the Bachelor of Circus Arts. NICA also offers short courses, social circus workshops, training programs, and houses the Circa NICA agency to service the community's circus entertainment needs.

Melbourne

Melbourne has a spectacular combination of old and new architecture, elegant streetscapes, ethnic communities, and lavish parks and gardens. In addition you will find some of Australia's best eating and an excellent transit system. Melbourne's standing as the cultural capital of Australia with events such as film and food festivals, major art exhibitions, and musical extravaganzas.

Academic Focus

Course Objectives

The program aims to provide students with the opportunity to:

• explore contemporary circus and physical theatre and its relationship within the Australian cultural environment.
• harness existing physical and performance skills in a circus environment.
• build awareness of circus as a growing artform and tool for engagement with young people.
• experience a uniquely Australian style of contemporary circus, drawing from Russian, Chinese, and European styles. experience the artistic and cultural landscape of the city of Melbourne.

Course Structure

The program runs for 20 hours per week and is broken down into the following: Circus Training (10 hours), Performing Arts (3 hours), Dance (3 hours), Cultural Studies (4 hours).  In addition to the development of physical skills required of circus performance such as flexibility, handstands, tumbling, and partner work, students will practice ground, ground to air, and aerial acrobatics as well as dance and performance skills.

Dance focuses are on:

• Ballet
• Choreography
• Contemporary dance
• Contact movement

Performance focuses will include:

• Playing and Complicite - Students will learn to develop their imagination and spontaneity through creative play.
• Improvisation - Students will develop improvisation techniques in narrative, dramatic focus, and action by understanding the building blocks and techniques.
• Characterization and Neutral Mask - Students will investigate neutral mask as a performance style and learn techniques for creating characters for performance. 

The cultural studies objectives of the course are to provide participants with an experiential learning opportunity through immersion in the artistic life of the city. This subject comprises:

• Classroom based tutorials
• Off-site excursions
• Key industry lectures
• Visits to cultural institutions may include: Circus OZ, Melbourne Theatre Company, the Victorian Arts Centre, the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Museum, Australian Centre for Moving Image, and Australian Centre for Contemporary Art.

Assessment

In the final week of the course, students will present a performance piece in each area of study - circus, dance, performance - which demonstrates their ability to make the transition from skills to performance. Course assessment will comprise performance, folio, journal submission, and written assessment.

Credit 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive 3-4 US credits on an official Swinburne University of Technology transcript.

Program Highlights

• Immersion into city life of Melbourne, one of Australia’s most vibrant and fun cities
• Learn and train at the world-renowned National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA)
• Many Cirque de Soleil, Broadway touring show, and Olympic opening/closing games performers have learned their craft here
• Industry lecturers from, and field trips to, Melbourne’s famed cultural facilities, museums, and performance venues

Who Should Apply

Open to all students of at least sophomore standing, whether majoring in or with just an interest in performance, dance, acting, or circus arts.

Accommodations

A Taste of Circus: Contermporary Performance in Australia will house students in the heart of Melbourne. Students will be a short tram ride away from campus and the NICA facilities. Students will live in flat style housing where they will be placed with their fellow peers and share a living space in fully furnished apartment suites. A fully equipped kitchen will allow students to cook their own meals, along with a shared living space ideal for study. High speed internet will be available. Breakfast everyday and a Melbourne Metro Transportation pass is included in the Program Fees. Students are only minutes away from the Arts and Theatre districts, The Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Tennis Centre and the fashion meccas of Toorak, South Yarra and Richmond - renowned for their designer and speciality shops as well as factory outlets clothing stores - are all just an easy walk down the road. A wide variety of restaurants, shops, markets and grocery stores are also a short walk away.

You can feel certain that your housing will be safe, secure, and clean, and that you will be satisfied with your short course program choice. All housing fees are included in the Program Fees.

Travel: Group Flights

AustraLearn works together with STA Travel's group ticket office to arrange group flights for all short course students. This insures that students can travel as a cohesive group to the program destination. Airfare is not included in program fees and payment of airfare is the responsibility of the student, however AustraLearn seeks the lowest possible student rate before reserving seats for participants to purchase, while still maintaining the flexibility that allows students to explore the country or surrounding countries at the conclusion of their short term program.

Flexible Return Date

Additionally, group flights have a flexible return date. Students may choose their own return date to allow for personal travel after the conclusion of the program. Many students choose to extend their time overseas and travel independently after the program's end. We can provide you with useful travel resources and advice, as well as refer you to travel opportunities that can be pre-booked.

Scholarship Opportunity

Scholarships through Swinburne University of Technology

Swinburne University of Technology is sponsoring one $500 AUD scholarship for the 2010 program. A scholarship application will be available once accepted to the program.

First-Hand Student Experiences

Students gain knowledge, confidence, college credit with short courses abroad

Greenfield performed his aerial silks act alongside four other contemporary circus arts students this summer during AustraLearn’s “Cirque de la Ville Vivant” short course at the renowned National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA), an affiliate of Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.

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Fees

Fee Includes

Program Fees are in U.S. dollars. Program fees include accommodation, tuition, host university administrative fees, local transportation, use of NICA facilities, daily breakfast, all lectures, presentations, workshops, field trips, and excursions listed in program itinerary. Fees include all pre-trip services such as: orientation materials, visa-processing service (including the visa fee for US students), personal advising, liaise with your home university, credit transfer assistance, and financial aid services.

**International airfare and all other meals (lunch and dinner) are an additional cost, along with personal expenses and additional or personal excursions.

Fee Semester

Dates

Entry Requirements

University Specific Scholarships

AustraLearn Coordinator

Name: Kimberly Tibbetts Title: Manager, Short Term Programs Department: Short Courses and Specialty Programs BIO: Kimberly is the Manager of Short Term Programs at AustraLearn. Kimberly works with all Short Term Program Participants. Kimberly graduated with a BA in History from the University of Colorado-Boulder. While studying at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, Kimberly discovered a love for travel and international education. She has traveled extensively throughout New Zealand and hopes to see more of Australia and Europe. She is very excited about spreading her passion for education and travel.